Two Billionaires Begged Me To Come Back

My mind went blank.The bouquet of roses I'd carefully picked out tumbled to the ground.I was shaking from head to toe, my teeth chattering."N-no, that's not — I got the wrong person..."My voice came out barely above a whisper.But Dominic just laughed — a dark, amused grin that dripped with menace.He caged me between himself and the basketball hoop, his hot breath fanning over my ear."Wrong person?""Then tell me — this 'Lucas' you're looking for, what does he look like?"I couldn't bring myself to look at him. I just stared down at the tips of my shoes."He... he's also wearing a white T-shirt.""Hah."Dominic let out a mocking scoff.He lifted his hand, gripping my chin, forcing my face up toward his."Then take a good look. Who am I?"I was forced to meet his eyes — black as an abyss, churning with emotions I couldn't begin to read."Dom... Dominic Blackwood.""Good. Remember that."He gave a satisfied nod. Then, right there in front of everyone passing by, he bent down and pi

The senior trip was the final chapter of high school.I thought I could use it as a chance to cut ties with Dominic for good.I was naive.On the bus to the coastal resort, Dominic ignored the assigned seating and dropped into the spot next to me.He stuck to me like a shadow, forbidding any boy from coming within three feet.A friendly classmate from another section came over to chat, and Dominic snarled a single "Get lost" that sent him scurrying.I'd had enough."Dominic, could you stop being so childish?"He pulled out one earbud and lounged against the headrest."Nope.""I'm doing you a favor — weeding out the trash."I was too furious to speak.At the hotel, after rooms were assigned and free time began, Sophie slipped me a note."Ellie, Lucas is down on the beach. This is your last chance! Go say goodbye — don't leave yourself with regrets!"I clutched the slip of paper, my palms slick with sweat.I was torn inside.Go, or don't go?If I went and Dominic found out, there'd be an

Dominic thought he'd won.He brought me back to the city and locked me inside a luxury penthouse registered under his name.It was a gilded cage.He hired a housekeeper and a private driver to attend to me around the clock.In reality, they were there to watch me around the clock.On the surface, I was obedient.Every day I ate on schedule, slept on schedule, read books, sketched.A pretty doll with no soul and no will of her own.Dominic was pleased with how "tame" I'd become.He believed that money and power had broken me entirely.What he didn't know was that the fire of revenge inside me had never gone out.I secretly reached out to Sophie.During my imprisonment, she was my only thread to the outside world.I had her handle everything I needed to study abroad.Passport, visa, offer of admission.All of it, arranged in silence.When the moment was right —I pretended I was homesick, crying and begging Dominic to let me visit my parents.At first he refused.But I'd been so well-beh

I stared at those two words on the screen and went completely still.Lucas Sterling.How did he...My heart hammered out of my control.The next evening, at the client's celebration banquet.I walked in carrying a complicated knot of emotions and came face to face with the man who'd made the final call on the entire project.He sat at the head of the table — the kind of man who could silence an entire room with a single look.He wore a perfectly tailored suit, his features sharp and refined, his bearing regal.He was more mature than five years ago, more contained, and infinitely more... powerful.It was Lucas Sterling.He bore almost no resemblance to the quiet boy in white from our school days.Now he radiated the unmistakable aura of someone who commanded empires.I was still processing when the banquet hall doors were shoved open from outside.Dominic Blackwood staggered in, reeking of liquor.He'd clearly gotten word that the project's client was Lucas.His eyes were red, like a c

Faced with the childish, reckless corporate war these two men had started —I didn't flinch. And I didn't choose a side.I called a press conference.Bigger than anything either of them had staged.I announced the founding of my own independent architectural design firm.Horizon Design.Then I made a decision that no one saw coming.I declared that every dollar of profit from the project I'd just won would be donated in its entirety.To establish The Echo Foundation — dedicated to fighting school bullying and emotional abuse.I looked straight into the cameras and spoke, slow and clear."Some people are used to throwing money at the mistakes they've made.""Some people are used to throwing money at the love they can't earn.""I choose to use money to create something that actually matters.""From today on, Elara Pemberton lives for herself."The press conference ended. The internet exploded.What I'd done was, without question, the loudest slap in the face either Lucas or Dominic had e